Lundqvist, Maria-Therese

Abstract [en]

Background: Have you ever wondered what top athletes occupy themselves with after their career? Most scientists agree that it is important to take advantage of the qualities and traits that elite athletes received through sport. Therefore, are athletes able to use and exploit their sports background in business?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate which traits former elite athletes consider important in an effective business leader. Furthermore, the purpose is to examine the traits that former elite athletes feel that they have developed during their sporting careers, which they now have the use of in their leading position in the business world.

Question: What is, according to former elite athletes, essential for an effective leader in business? What traits have these former elite athletes, in their view, developed during their active career?

Methodology: The study uses a qualitative method which is based on six semi-structured interviews with former Olympians. All interviews were conducted by phone or videoconference call.

Conclusion: The authors answer the questions and try to clearify the respondents’ interpretations of the key traits of effective leaders. The authors believe that it is also possible to identify some traits that the respondents brought from the sport and that they now use in their civilian career. Finally, suggestions for further research

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages

2016. , p. 53

Keyword [en]

Conclusion: The authors answer the questions and try to clearify the respondents’ interpretations of the key traits of effective leaders. The authors b elieve that it is also possible to identify some traits that the respondents brought from the sporTraits, effective leadership, effective leaders, professional athletes, business